Gaffney, SC

Full City Profile · South Carolina · Cherokee County County

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,612 Population 1,391/sq mi density
$41,214 Median Income $22,523 per capita
$141,100 Home Value $187,191 Zillow
$822 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
234 Violent Crime/100K 4,275 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$41,214 median income, 11.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$141,100 home value, $822/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
234 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Gaffney, SC

At a Glance

Median Income
$41,214
45% below
$22,523 per capita
Home Value
$141,100
50% below
Zillow: $187,191
Median Rent
$822/mo
29% below
27.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
234/100K
38% below
4,275/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%
35% below
84.8% high school+
Unemployment
11.3%
214% above
19.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
42.1%
31% above
18.8% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
58°F

How Gaffney Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Gaffney's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
55%
Home Value
50%
Rent
71%
Poverty
156%
Bachelor's
65%
Unemployment
314%
Crime
62%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Gaffney a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.6 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Gaffney residents earn a median household income of $41,214 , which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,523. The unemployment rate stands at 11.3% (214% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 988 business establishments, including 86 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Gaffney is $141,100 , 50% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $187,191. Median rent is $822/month, with 27.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1973.

Safety & Crime

Gaffney reports 234 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 38% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 4,275/100K.

Education

21.8% of adults in Gaffney hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below the national average). 84.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Gaffney has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population12,612
Median Age32.8 yrs
Density1,391/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born6.2%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

D
Median Income$41,214
Per Capita$22,523
Unemployment11.3%
Poverty19.4%
County GDP$2,342M
Avg Weekly Wage$928

Housing

A+
Home Value$141,100
Rent$822
Ownership54.2%
Zillow$187,191
Housing Units5,523
Rent Burden27.5%

Crime

F
Violent234/100K
Property4,275/100K

Health

Obesity42.1%
Diabetes15.3%
Smoking18.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death14,798/100K

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
Rain47.8 in/yr
Elevation735 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+84.8%
Graduate+7.4%
School Score4.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute18 min
Broadband82.6%
Internet Speed154 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Gaffney was founded in 1804.
The median home in Gaffney was built in 1973.
The nearest airport is Greenville Spartanburg International (34 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.475 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
14.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 154 Mbps.
The county recorded 16 fatal vehicle crashes.